A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Burkin family of England.
Reg. 1311 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. a fesse gu. (sometimes, az.)”
NorfolkBurlingham · Norfolk, c. 1620
Where the Burkin Arms Were Recorded
Norfolk
Map of England showing where the Burkin arms are recorded
The Burkin arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1620.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Burkin arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Burkin Family in England
The family name Burkin traces its roots to the flat, fertile landscapes of Norfolk, where members of the family were firmly established by the year 1620. During this period, the name was closely tied to the agricultural life of East Anglia, a region known for its strong ties to the wool trade and local parish governance. Families like the Burkins often lived in small, tight-knit communities where they served as yeoman farmers or skilled tradespeople. Because Norfolk was a major hub for trade and migration during the seventeenth century, the family likely benefited from the economic stability of the area. As they settled into their local parishes, they became part of the long-standing social fabric of the English countryside, leaving behind records in local church registers that document their daily lives, marriages, and contributions to their village communities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Burg
A fortified place or town.
This name
BurkinA dweller near a fortified settlement or a person from a borough.
also spelled
Burken
Burkyn
Related arms
Burkenvariant spelling
Jaryrecorded with Burkin, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Duffy, Eamon. The Voices of Morebath: Reformation and Rebellion in an English Village. 2001
Hey, David. Family Names and Family History. 2000
Norfolk Record Office, Parish Registers for the Diocese of Norwich
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
